National Party backs protesting doctors in Balochistan
National Party backs protesting doctors in Balochistan
QUETTA: National Party president Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has assured the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Balochistan and protesting doctors of his support in resolving their grievances, including heavy taxes imposed by the Federal Board of Revenue and the Balochistan Revenue Authority, and the newly introduced AI-based attendance system.
A delegation of the PMA Balochistan and Quetta Zone met Dr Baloch on Friday to discuss the issues facing doctors in the province.
Protesting doctors Balochistan: taxes and AI attendance
The delegation was led by PMA Balochistan president Dr Naeem Zarkoon and included general secretary Dr Zarak Muhammad Shahi, joint secretary Dr Ahmed Abbas and spokesperson Dr Abdullah Wardag.
They briefed the National Party president on the difficulties doctors face because of new taxation, telling him the taxes imposed by the FBR and the Balochistan Revenue Authority were causing serious hardship for the medical community.
The delegation also raised the AI-based attendance system, saying it did not correspond to the ground realities of Balochistan and was creating difficulties even for doctors who regularly performed their duties.
PMA position on absenteeism
The PMA delegation made it clear that the association strongly opposed absenteeism and believed every doctor should fulfil their professional responsibilities.
Its objection, the delegation said, was not to accountability itself but to a system that penalised doctors who turned up for work. The AI-based attendance mechanism, they argued, failed to account for conditions in the province and was punishing even regular, duty-bound doctors.
Dr Baloch assured the delegation of his support in resolving the issues raised, backing the doctors’ demand for relief from the tax burden and a workable attendance framework.
Frequently asked questions
Why are doctors protesting in Balochistan?
According to the PMA Balochistan delegation, doctors are protesting against heavy taxes imposed by the Federal Board of Revenue and the Balochistan Revenue Authority, and against the newly introduced AI-based attendance system, which they say does not reflect ground realities in the province.
Who met the National Party leadership?
A PMA Balochistan and Quetta Zone delegation led by president Dr Naeem Zarkoon, along with general secretary Dr Zarak Muhammad Shahi, joint secretary Dr Ahmed Abbas and spokesperson Dr Abdullah Wardag, met National Party president Dr Abdul Malik Baloch on Friday, October 2.
What is the PMA’s stance on doctor absenteeism?
The PMA says it strongly opposes absenteeism and believes every doctor should fulfil their professional responsibilities. Its protest targets the tax regime and the AI-based attendance system, not accountability itself.
